Paris Suburb Shooting Suspect Placed Under Psychiatric Observation as Victim's Lawyer Raises Questions
A man suspected of a deadly gun attack near Paris has left custody and been placed under psychiatric observation, French anti-terrorism officials have said.
One person was killed and five others injured on Friday when an attacker opened fire from his car — first in Trappes, and then in nearby La Verriere — appearing to target people of migrant origin.
The suspect, named in French media as 39-year-old Kevin T, will be observed to evaluate whether his "psychiatric health is compatible with pursuing his interrogation", the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) said.
President Emmanuel Macron called it a "racist terrorist attack", adding that people had been targeted over their skin colour or religion. It marked a "turning point in the life of our Republic and our nation", the French president said.
PNAT said the move to place the suspect under psychiatric evaluation followed guidance from a psychiatric expert. The evaluation will determine whether the suspect should remain in police custody and is "likely to last 48 hours", PNAT added.
PNAT said the suspect was also found to have cannabis and cocaine in his bloodstream.
French media reports, citing a source close to the investigation, say a Bible, a Quran and a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf were found at the suspect's home.
The lawyer for Pengo Bossio Wangi, the one person killed during the attack, told French media the move to place the suspect under observation was "very rare". He alleged that it was being used to portray the suspect as criminally irresponsible rather than having acted deliberately.
Wangi, a 26-year-old French-Congolese martial artist, was named as the one fatality on Saturday. The mixed martial arts club where he trained paid tribute to him, saying: "On the mats as off them, he was one of those who lead by example: present, respectful, always ready to lift others up. His smile, his energy and his generosity will remain etched in our walls and in our hearts."
Three of those injured in the attack were taken to hospital in a serious condition — including a 12-year-old girl who was in a critical condition. The mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, told French radio on Sunday that he had spoken to the girl's mother over the phone and confirmed she was "doing better". Another injured resident was recovering while a third remained in a critical condition, he said.
The suspect had been known to police prior to the attack but not to France's intelligence services, local media report. PNAT previously said he had four previous convictions that had been "automatically expunged".
He is thought to have used an old semi-automatic weapon during the attack, firing in bursts from his car window.
